Joanie Bayhack, Random Acts of Flowers
Kristin Brown introduced Joanie Bayhack, the CEO of the Chicago branch of Random Acts of Flowers.Her organization was founded in 2007 by Larson Jay. Jay was in a near-fatal accident. While confined to his hospital room, the outpouring of support that Jay received in the form of daily visitors and dozens of floral arrangements immediately aided in his long recovery.
He noticed many patients did not have visitors, nor did they receive any flowers. He decided to start an organization to help others by giving them flowers. Jay felt he could promote wellness by distributing flowers.
Random Acts of Flowers recycles and repurposes flowers by engaging dedicated volunteer teams to deliver beautiful bouquets and moments of kindness to individuals in healthcare facilities across the country.”
Joanie’s organization is located at a 3,000 square foot space inside Nature’s Perspective in Evanston. They have 500 volunteers who clean up flowers, arrange them in vases, and deliver them. They serve more than 130 health facilities, such as the Ronald McDonald House, senior centers, dialysis centers, and the Lurie Center. They have served more than 35,000 people.
They have special assistants such as John Cleese, who came, delivered flowers, and joked with patients. She mentioned there is a fundraising party - The Garden Party - on Thursday, July 14, from 5:50 p.m. to 8 p.m.at The Gardens at 900, 1065 Acorn Trail, Lake Forest, IL.
They partner with FTD, ProFlowers, MacLean-Fogg, and Care Institute Group, several hospitals and medical groups, and national partners such as Hewlett-Packard.
Ann Searles asked what their organization needs from volunteers? Joan told us they always need vases for flowers. There is a waiting list for volunteering. Once you are accepted, they have a training session to get volunteers up to speed.
Susan Prout asked if they would accept flowers from a wedding. Joan said they would if there are storage facilities to keep the flowers until the following Monday for pickup. She also said they have partnerships with many floral designers who would keep them until Monday morning.
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